Floor-cleaning machine



W. A. ROWE.

FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE s, 1918.

1,328,339, Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET I.

ve-wtoz .JZHowe W. A. HOWE.

FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3,1918- 1,328,339 Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

awuewtoz W1 Have W. A. ROWE.

FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 191a.

Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Jwvewhoz W15 Baa/e I I filbtomwq W. A. ROWE.

FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. 191a.

Patented J an. 20, 1920.

4 SHEETS-S EET 4- a i a g a Qwvawtoz Wfl. Fawe I v M wolMQia invention to provide WILLIAM A. ROWE, 0F EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN.

FLOOR-CLEANING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, 1920.

' Application filed June a, 1918. Serial No. 237,943.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, \VILLIAM A. Rown,a citizen of the United States, residing at Eau Claire, in the county of Eau Claire and State of \Visconsin, have in 'ented certain new and useful Improvements in Floor-Cleaning Machines, of which the following is-a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to floor cleaning machines, and has for its primary object to provide an improved arrangement of scrubbing brushes and floor wipers whereby the cleaning and drying of the fioor surface as the machine is; moved thereover will be quickly and eificiently accomplished.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide a machine for the above purpose wherein the several parts are very compactl'y may be engaged by the scrubbing brushes and also by the floor wipers or driers.

It is one of the more particular objects ofthe invention to provide an improved construction of the wipers, eachwiper having a collecting surface of loosely woven fabric or spongy material, and-means for creating an induced air draft through the absorbing material to withdraw the water therefrom to a suitable collecting tank or reservoir.

The invention also has for another of its objects to provide simple and effective means for separating the water from,the air so that the former will not be drawn into the fan case.

And it is a further general object of my a floor cleaning machine as above characterized which is relatively simple in its construction, light in weight so that it may be readily moved from 'place to place, and very serviceable and convenient for quickly cleaning large floor surfaces such, for instance, as are found in halls, auditoriums, theaters and like places.

With the above and otherobjects in view, the invention consists in the improved combination, construction and relative arrangement of the several. parts as will be hereinafter more fullv described, subsequently claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate correspondlng parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

arranged so that practically the entire floor surface Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. l

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a. section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view illustrating means for positively rotating the Winer rollers;

Fig.1 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6. Referring in detail to the drawings, 5 designates a bed plate which is of substantially rectangular form and is secured at its marginal} edges upon the horizontal flange of an angle bar 6. To this angle bar at the ends of the bed plate and at the opposite sides of'the machine depending brackets" 7 are secured. In each of these brackets a stub shaft 8.is adjustably mounted, said shaft being provided with an eccentric: 9 which constitutes a bearing for the supporting wheel 10. The wheel is preferably faced with rubber, felt or other cushioning material so that it will not mar the floor surface. It will be readily understood that by simply rotatably adjusting the shaft 8 in the bracket 7, the supporting wheel 10 may be readily! raised or lowered through the medium of the eccentric 9 whereby proper contact of the wiping rollers, to be later referred to, with the floor surface may be obtained.

Upon one end of the bed plate 5, the water tank or reservoir 11 is suitably mounted or secured. This tank may be of any desired capacity, and its bottom wall is formed with an upwardly offset radially extending portion 12 in which an opening 13 is provided, said opening being located centrally of the tank or reservoir 11. The lower end of a pipe 141 is fixed to the offset wall 12 around the opening 13 thereof and extends upwardly into the water tank.

The bed plate 5 is likewise formed with an opening 15 in alinement with the opening 13 and a bearing sleeve 16 extends through the opening 15 and is provided with a flange 17 which is securely riveted or bolted toth bed plate. A pipe or tube 18 extends through the bearing sleeve 16 and in effect constitutes a continuation of the fixed pipe 14. The lower end of this tube 18 is formed with a head 19 extending at right angles to the axis of said tube or in a horizontal plane. This head 19 is formed with three radially projecting nipples 20 which are equi-distantly spaced from each other. On these nipples the inner ends of the radially disposed tubes 21 are suitably fixed. A metal shell or cylinder 22 is pro vided at one side with a laterally extending boss 23 which is engaged on the outer end of the tube 21 and is fixed thereon against rotation by means of a set screw 24. The opposite side of the shell 22 is open. A metal cylinder 25 is loosely engaged upon the shell 22 for rotative movement, the outer side of said cylinder being closed by the wall 26. The annular body wall of said cylinder is perforated as at 27, and said wall extends beyond the inner side wall of the shell 22. To the inner face thereof an annulus 28 is secured by means of the bolts indicated at 29. One edge of this annulus contacting with the wall of the shell 22 prevents relative longitudinal movement of the cylinder 25 on said shell. The end wall 26 of the cylinder pro-- jects slightly beyond the periphery of said cylinder to provide an annular flange 30, and a similar flange 31 is formed upon the periphery of said cylinder adjacent its opposite end. Between these flanges an annular covering or facing 32 of felt or other suitable porous or absorbent material is arranged upon the cylinder 25 and covers the perfora-- tions 27 in} the wall thereof. The ,Wall of the shell 22 has one or more openings 33 therein.

Between the several wiping rollers above described the scrubbing brushes 34 are arranged. These brushes and the wiping rollers are mounted to revolve as a unit in a common'path, and to this end an arm 35 is fixed to the opposite ends of each brush. The brush arms are obliquely disposed and the free ends of the arms on the ends of adjacent brushes which are disposed at opposite sides of the wiping rollers are engaged against the opposite sides of a bracket 36 which is fixed upon one of the tubes 21.

This bracket is slotted as at 37 to receive a bolt 38 extending through openings in the arms 35. A clamping nut 39 is threaded upon the bolt. Thus, the brush supporting arms may be vertically adjusted and in conunction with the adjustable supporting rollers 10 for the bed plate provide means for securing the desired pressure of the brush bristles upon the floor surface.

Upon the tube or pipe 18 between the bearing sleeve 16 and the wall 12 of the water tank a beveled gear 40 is fixed. This gear meshes with a pinion 41 secured to one end of a shaft 42, which is mounted in suitable bearings 43 on the bed plate 5. 44 designates an electric motor mounted upon the bed plate, and upon one side of the. motor case a shaft 45 is journaled in suitable bearings 46. To one end of this shaft a gear 47 is secured and meshes with a gear 48 on the motor shaft. A worm 49 is also secured on the shaft 45 and meshes with the worm gear 50 fixed to one end of the shaft 42. In this manner it will be seen rotation is transmitted through the shaft 42 to the pipe or tube 18, whereby the brushes and Wiping rollers are revolved over-the floor surface.

Upon the bed plate 5 a suction fan 51 is also mounted and is driven from the motor 44.' 52 designates the intake pipe of the fan case which is connected to the top of the water'tank or reservoir 11. To thistop wall of the water tank the upper edge of a spirally coiled baffle plate 53 is suitably secured, said plate extending downwardly in the Water tank and below the upper open end of the pipe 14. The plate 53 has equidistantly spaced angular shoulders 54 formed therein which extend the entire width of the plate. These shoulders provide a multiplicity of baflles with which the moisture laden air contacts in its circuitous travel between the convolutions of the plate 53 to the fan connection 52.

In the operation of the invention as above described, water may be supplied to the floor by any suitable means from any convenient source. As the machine is propelled over the floor, the operation of the motor 44 having been started, the brushes and wipers are revolved inthe manner above explained. The brushes will thoroughly loosen the dirt on the floor surface, and the wiping rollers following behind each brush gather up the dirt and absorb the moisture from the floor surface. The rollers are independently rotated by the frictional contact of their surface coverings 32 with the floor. The fan creates an induced draft of air through the pipe 14, the tube 18 and the tubes 21 so that the dirty water is drawn through the porous facing or covering of the Wiping rollers and through the perfora tions 27 and openings 33 into the cylinder 25 from which it passes through the tubes 21 andupwardly through the pipe 14 into the upper portion of the tank 11.. Before the air can enter the fan 51, it must'travel between the spaced portions of the spirally coiled baflie plate and in such travel the passage of the dirt and water or moisture machine whereby floor surfaces of large area may be quickly and thoroughly cleaned, and the water also completely removed from the floor surface so that the latter will quickly dry. Owing to the particular relative arrangement of the brushes and wiping rollers and their compact mounting, the corners of the floors and other places which would otherwise not be accessible, can be readily reached and cleaned.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified construction wherein the: wiping rollers are positively rotated. In this construction, in lieu of the angle plate 28 above referred to, I secure to the inner end of each cylinder 25 an annular gear 55. The teeth of this gear mesh with an annular rack 56 which is secured to the under side of the.

. bed plate 5. Thus, as the brushes and wipers are revolved, the cylindrical wipers are also individually rotated upon the shell 22. However, in lieu of the rotating wiper, I may if desired employ a fixed wiper in the form of a hollow rectangular casing preferably curved concentrically to the rotating tube 18 and having itsbottom wall perforated. This perforated wall will of course be covered with the absorbent material As this alternative construction of the wipers is very simple it can be readily understood from the above description and illustration thereof will not be found necessary.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, I have illustrated a slightly modified construction of the machine wherein the brushes 34 rotate in vertical planes, said brushes being cylindrical in form and extending across substantially the entire Width of the bed plate. common shaft 57 which is geared to the motor shaft, through the medium of the belts ably fixed to rods 62 extending between head plates 63 fixed upon a shaft 64. Inlieu of the rubber strips 60. bristles may be employed if desired. The spaced shafts 64 upon which the two series of wiper members are mounted extend through a suitable casing 65 which is open'at its lower side. The shafts 64 are provided exteriorly of the casing with inter-meshing gears indicated at 66 and to one of said shafts a wheel is secured to receive the belt 67 driven from the motor. Thus, it will be seen that the two series of wiper members are rotated in relatively opposite directions. The wiper These brushes are driven from a In this modified members are so arranged with relation to therespective shafts 64 that the members in one series will move between those in the other series at the center of the casing 65.

The casing 65 is provided at its upper side with an upwardly extending neck 68 which is inserted in the lower end of a tube 69 secured in the bottom wall of the. water tank or reservoir. This tube at its upper end is of bell-shaped form or gradually flares outwardly and is surrounded by a rectangular casing 70. This casing is open at its lower side and the top wall 71 thereof is preferably of gable form and provided with transverse corrugations 72. Theend walls of the casing each consists of two series of plates 72, transversely curved and arranged in staggered relation, whereby openings are provided between these plates. The casing 7 0 is suspended within the water tank or reservoir by means of a plurality of bracket arms 73 which are fixed to the top wall of the tank. The fan case pipe 74 is connected to the top wall of the tank at the center thereof. It will thus be seen that in the modified construction, the water is gathered upon the floor surface by the revolving series of wiper members 59 and thrown upwardly into the center of the casing or housing 65 where it is caught by the air draft and drawn upwardly through the tube 69 and into the casing 70. The water is projected outwardly against the two side walls, While the air strikes the plates 72 which act as bafiles to impede the passage of the remaining moisture. The air is drawn outwardly through the openings between the spaced edges of these plates and upwardly into the fan case-pipe 74.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that the several described embodiments of my invention will be clearly and fully understood. In each construction, the various parts are of simple form and not liable to get out of order. Access may also be readily had to the several parts thereof and they can be easily disassembled when it is necessary to clean or repair the same'. In the first described form of the machine, I have referred to a specific number of the rotating wipers and the brushes, but it. will be understood that a greater or less number of the same may be employed ifdesired. The brushes and rollers are'preferably arranged on'a radius of six inches so that they will describe a movement through a circular path having a diameter of one foot. However, this feature likewise might be changed as the exigencies of the particular case may necessitate. The machine as a whole is comparatively light in weight and can be moved or propelled with little manual exertion.

spect to the floor scrubbers,

While I-have herein shown and described the preferredconstruction and relative arrangement of the various elements, it is to be understood that the same are susceptible of considerable modification and I, therefore, reserve the privilege of adopting all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim 1. In a floor cleaning machine, alternately arranged floor scrubbers and wipers equidistantly spaced from each other and operating in a horizontal plane upon the floor surface, and means for rotating said scrubbers and wipers as a unit.

2. In a floor cleaning machine, alternately arranged floor scrubbers and wipers having a common path of operation in a horizontal plane and in constant contact with the floor surface, and means for rotating said scrubbers and wipers as a unit.

3. In a floor cleaning machine, a plurality of floor scrubbers, independently rotatable wipers alternately arrange with re- {iid 'means for rotating said scrubbers and wipers as a unit about a common axis.

, 4. In a floor cleaning machine, a plurality of floor scrubbers, independently rotatable wipers contacting with the lloor surface, and means for rotating said scrubbers and wipers as a unit about a common axis.

5. vIn a floor cleaning -machine, a vertical shaft and means for rotating the same, a

plurality of radially disposed supporting members fixed to one end of the shaft, floor wipers mounted upon the outer ends of said supporting members, and floor scrubbing I brushes mounted upon the supporting mem-.

bers between the wipers.

6. In a floor cleaning machine, a vertical shaft and means for rotating the same, a

plurality of radially disposed supporting members fixedto oneend of theshaft, floor wipers mounted upon said supporting members, and scrubbing brushes mounted upon said supporting members between the wipers and in line therewith, said brushes and the wipers operating in a common ciroular path about said shaft.

7 In a floor cleaning machine, a vertical shaft and means for rotating the same, a plurality of radially disposed supporting members fixed to one end of said shaft, floor scrubbing brushes .mounted upon said supporting members, and floor wipers rotatably supported upon said members between the brushes and havin operating contact with the floor in the pat of the brushes.

I 8. In a floor cleaning machine, a water receiving tank, a conduit having a fixed operative position relative to the tank and opening at one end into the tank and having its other end disposed adjacent the floor surface, a floor engaging wiper mounted upon and supported in its operative position by ,the latterend of the conduit, and means to create an induced air draft through said conduit whereby the water is conveyed from the wiper to the tank. 7

A 9. In a'fioor cleaning machine, a water receiving tank, a conduit opening at one end into the tank and having its other end disposed adjacent the floor surface, a floor engaging wiper rotatably mounted upon and supported by the latter end of the conduit in a fixed operative position relative to said conduit, and means to create an induced air draft through said conduit whereby the water is conveyed from the wiper to the tank.

10. In a floor cleaning machine, a water receiving tank, a conduit discharging into said tank at one of its ends, said conduit at its other end having a plurality of radially extending branches, a floor wiper mounted upon the outer end of each branch .conduit to collect water from the floor, and means for creating an induced air draft through the conduit 'to convey the water from the wipers to said tank.

11. Ina floor cleaning machine, a water receiving tank, a rotatably mounted conduit discharging at one of its ends into said tank and having a plurality of radially disposed branch conduits at its other end, means for rotating said conduit, a floor engaging wiper mounted on the outer end of each of the branch conduits, and means for creating an induced air draft through the conduits to convey wipers to said tank.

12. In a floor cleaning machine,-a water receiving tank, a rotatably mounted conduit discharging at one of itsends into said tank and having a plurality of radially dis- .posed branch conduits at its other end, means for rotating said conduit, independently rotatable floor engaging wipers mounted on the outer ends of the branch conduits, and means for creating an induced air draft through the conduits to convey the water from the wipers to said tank.

13. In a floor cleaning machine, a conduit, a cylindrical supporting member fixed to one end of the conduit, a cylinder rotatably mounted upon said supporting member and the water from the provided in its annular wall with a plurality of openings therein and having spaced an nular flanges upon its periphery, a floor engaging band of absorbent material engaged upon the cylinder between said flanges and over the openings in the wall thereof, and means for creating an induced air draft through the conduit to withdraw the Water from said absorbent band through the openings in the rotating cylinder and the shell.

15. In a floor cleaning machine, a series of floor wipers mounted for independent rotation, means for rotating the wipers as a unit about a common axis, and additional means for imparting independent rotation to the wipers.

16. In a floor cleaning machine, spaced floor wipers having a common path of operation upon the floor surface, means for rotating the wipers as a unit, said wipers being mounted and supported for rotation independently of each other, and additional means for positively rotatin tive wipers in the operation tiereof.

17. In a floor cleaning machine, a plurality of rotatably supported floor wipers having a common path of operation upon the floor surface, a gear fixed to each of the rotatable wipers, means for rotating the wipers as a'unit about a common axis, and a fixed rack with which said gears coact to impart independent rotation to the respective wipers.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. ROWE.

Witnesses F. E. WITTERDING, A. R. LUND.

the respec- 

